The last time Congress passed comprehensive immigration reform was in 1986. Ronald Reagan was president, Bill Walsh was coach of the San Francisco 49ers and Tim Berners-Lee had yet to unleash the Web on the world.

But what seemed hopeless just months ago now seems possible, with this week's bipartisan proposal -- by four Democrats and four Republicans, mostly heavy-hitters -- setting out a framework for legislation to strengthen America's workforce and deal humanely with the 11 million immigrants now stuck in undocumented limbo.

Political winds that once made immigrant bashing a vote-getter in some regions shifted dramatically in November, when President Barack Obama won more than 70 percent of the Latino vote. Overnight, Republicans became born-again reformers, culminating in the five-page framework presented Monday.

Speaking Tuesday in Las Vegas, Obama praised the major components of the Senate plan: increasing guest-worker permits, providing a pathway to citizenship for those who are here illegally, and securing our borders.

But the senators call for a slower, less clear path to citizenship than Obama and would require enforcement of border security before any other advances. Obama also would treat gay couples the same under the program as straight couples.

Compromise is needed, and negotiations will be especially difficult in the House, where conservative Republicans hold sway. But the president, who tends to lead with concessions, should negotiate from a position of strength. And GOP leaders should help broker his deal. A sham reform bill won't help either party, let alone the country.

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Reform is particularly important for California, which needs immigrant workers across the economic spectrum -- from Salinas' farms to Silicon Valley's tech industry. It is important for social reasons in the valley, whose diverse culture celebrates the energy and creativity that immigrants bring with them. What a relief that at least real debate is at hand.